8 Ways to Explore the Mighty Amazon River

The diversity and unrivaled size of the Amazon basin is a wonder adventure travelers flock to for experiencing the incredible ecosystem and boundless opportunity for exploration. Larger than India, the basin stretches over eight countries, offering more subtle joys than grandiose expectations: quiet, riverside villages, haunting cries of howler monkeys, and the silent but mighty movement of the river itself. This springboard to almost 30% of the word’s species provides a look at astounding bio-diversity and though unexpected surprises are possible, it’s the sheer breadth of the backdrop that’s most impressive.

8. White Water Rafting

The largest section of the Amazon River flows through Brazil just below the equator: the river runs east to west, crosses into Peru, and features tributaries throughout Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and Columbia. Immense amounts of water cascade from the Andes into flourishing Amazon canyons, crating exhilarating white water rafting experiences. The Amazon delivers exciting journeys spanning a day or two to three weeks and more with options for different ability levels. A four-day journey along the Rio Apurímac starts near Lima, Peru: the river carves through 9,000-foot deep canyons then unwaveringly descends into broad, bucolic valleys and lush Amazon rainforests. Adrenaline junkies might prefer a 12-day jaunt along the Tambopata River beginning north on the Lake Titicaca shoreline in Puno in Peru’s high plains. Riverside camping, and wildlife viewing (parrots, monkeys, alligators, tapirs, and more) are part of this intoxicating adventure.

7. Canopy Tours

Where primates effortlessly glide through forest canopies, navigating the trees has become a long lost skill among people today. Thankfully some innovative and ambitious entrepreneurs have allowed us to reclaim some of that lush domain and take the trees via zip-line and canopy tours, and what better place to experience the joy of careening over the jungle than in the Amazon basin. This incredible perspective offers a close look at wildlife whose habitats would otherwise be completely shrouded. These tours are also environmentally friendly, eliminating the need for disrupting habitats while trekking through undisturbed forest areas. This eco-friendly activity involves gliding nimbly amid treetops from platform to platform, gaining speeds of around 30 kilometers, hitting both penchants for raising adrenaline and exploring the Amazon’s ecosystem without disturbing animals and plant life. There are opportunities in each country in the basin to arrange zip-lining and canopy tours.